March 5: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai has instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to form “action teams” to study the possible effects of coronavirus on the tourism sector of Nepal and to suggest preventive measures to the government.

Minister Bhattarai issued such directive on Wednesday during a discussion with the concerned departments over the possible impacts of coronavirus and ways to deal with them.

The minister also urged the departments to write to the ministry if there is any need for policy-level decisions. He said that the ministry will form a team headed by the secretary to deal with the issue.

He also urged the concerned departments to give their suggestions within three days regarding the possible impact of coronavirus on the tourism sector and the steps government should take as counter measures.

Minister Bhattarai also informed that the government has initiated the process to set up health desks at other domestic airports where the inflow of tourists is high.

Meanwhile, Secretary at the Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kedar Bahadur Adhikari said that the ministry will take appropriate steps to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus in Nepal in coordination with other line ministries.